Selected Resources for Dharma and Buddhist Studies
For those seeking deeper study into Buddhism, there is a wealth of resources available. We differentiate Dharma Studies from Buddhist Studies: Dharma Studies is intended for practitioners, who may or may not have interest in scholarship, while Buddhist Studies is more for scholars who may or may not be practitioners. The Buddhist Studies section includes resources for learning the Pali language. We also list Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Buddhist Chaplaincy training programs.
This list is intended as a jumping-off point for people to investigate each program on their own. Please contact the teacher or school directly if you would like further information on any of these.
Dharma Studies
These resources help practitioners deepen their understanding of the Dharma through both intellectual and practical guidance from Dharma teachers. This includes study of the early Buddhist texts as well as meditation and Dharma practice instruction, all with the purpose of being applied on the cushion and in daily life. We choose to focus on Dharma studies in the Insight / Vipassana / Theravada tradition.
Online sutta study programs: These are resources for studying the Pali Canon
|
Teacher/Org |
Content |
Format |
|
Gil Fronsdal / Sati Center
|
Audio recordings from live classes |
|
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Shaila Catherine / Insight Meditation South Bay
|
Live course with instructor over an online conference call
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Bhikkhu Bodhi / Chuang Yen Monastery |
Video recordings of live classes
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Bhikkhu Analayo / Univ of Hamburg
|
Sequential comparative studies of the Chinese Madyama Agama with the Pali Canon
|
Audio recordings from a class that was originally live online video Includes handouts for each lecture |
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Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
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Entering the Path program |
12-week course with guiding teachers including online lecture, sutta readings, and small group discussion |
Introduction to Meditation / Foundations of Mindfulness
These online courses are designed for beginners to learn the basics of Insight meditation. All include live interaction with a teacher or senior student.
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Teacher/Org |
Description |
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Andrew Quernmore / Vipassana Fellowship |
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Insight Meditation Center
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Spirit Rock/Sally Armstrong
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Christopher Titmuss |
Other Online Dharma
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Teacher/Org |
Description |
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Metta Programs
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Kittisaro and Thanissara /Sacred Mountain Sangha (Dharmagiri)
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Shaila Catherine/Bodhi Courses — Online Buddhist Classroom — Two thematic courses per year that include recorded lectures, guided meditations, readings, discussion forums, and live online conference sessions with Shaila Catherine. |
Bodhi Courses |
Buddhist Studies
For those interested in academic study, there are a number of universities offering graduate programs focusing on Buddhism. The list below highlights those programs that are from accredited institutions; those that allow a Theravada focus are listed first. Note that the Ph.D. programs generally require that a Master's Degree has already been gained; the few with combined MA/Ph.D. programs are indicated.
MA in Buddhist Studies – Includes focus in Theravada Tradition
|
University |
Department |
Location |
|
California Institute of Integral Studies |
San Francisco, CA |
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Institute of Buddhist Studies |
Berkeley, CA |
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University of the West |
Rosemead, CA |
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Cal State Univ, Long Beach |
Long Beach, CA |
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Naropa University |
Boulder, CO |
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University of Washington |
Seattle, WA |
MA in Buddhist studies – no focus in Theravada tradition indicated in website information
|
University |
Department |
Location |
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Columbia University |
New York City |
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Graduate Theological Union |
Berkeley, CA |
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Rangjung Yeshe Institute |
Boudhanath, Nepal |
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McGill University |
Montreal, ON Canada |
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University of California, Santa Barbara |
Santa Barbara, CA |
MA/Ph.D. programs
|
University |
Department |
Location |
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University of California Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, CA |
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Stanford University |
Palo Alto, CA
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University of Toronto |
Toronto, ON Canada |
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Florida State University |
Tallahassee, FL |
Ph. D. Includes concentration in Theravada Tradition
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University |
Department |
Location |
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University of Toronto |
Toronto, ON Canada |
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Florida State University |
Tallahassee, FL |
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Northwestern University |
Chicago, IL |
Ph.D. No concentration in Theravada tradition indicated in website information
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University |
Department |
Location |
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University of California Berkeley |
Berkeley, CA |
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University of Washington |
Seattle, WA |
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University of California, Santa Barbara |
Santa Barbara CA |
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University of California Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, CA |
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Stanford University |
Palo Alto, CA |
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University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, PA |
Resources for learning Pali
|
Teacher/Organization |
Content |
Format |
|
Bhikkhu Bodhi / Bodhi Monastery |
|
Audio recordings |
|
John Bullitt / Access to Insight |
A guide to learning pali includes recommendations for books for self-study |
Website |
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Urban Dharma |
Resources for beginners such as grammars, etc. |
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Vipassana Research Institute |
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Pariyati Learning Center |
online courses |
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Eisel Mazard |
Links to texts regarding Pali grammar, writing system, versions of Pali, etc |
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The Online Pali Tutor |
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Deepak Dhammadarshi |
35 videos based on Pali Primer by Lily De Silva |
Master of Divinity and Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Programs
For those interested in Spiritual Care from a Buddhist perspective, these programs offer relevant degrees and certifications.
MDiv in Buddhist Studies
The Master of Divinity degree prepares people for professional work in the fields of pastoral care, Buddhist chaplaincy and/or interfaith chaplaincy.
|
University |
Location |
URL |
|
Institute of Buddhist Studies |
Berkeley, CA |
|
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University of the West |
Rosemead, CA |
http://www.uwest.edu/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=165 |
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Naropa University |
Boulder, CO |
http://www.naropa.edu/academics/shis/grad/master-of-divinity/index.php |
Master of Pastoral Care and Counseling
|
University |
Location |
URL |
|
New York Theological Seminary and Zen Center for Contemplative Care |
New York City |
http://zencare.org/contemplative-care-training-program/professional-cpe-buddhist-chaplaincy- |
MDiv Buddhist Ministry
|
University |
Location |
URL |
|
Harvard Divinity School |
Cambridge, MA |
http://www.hds.harvard.edu/academics/buddhist-ministry-initiative |
Master of Theological Studies in Buddhist Studies
|
University |
Location |
URL |
|
Harvard Divinity School |
Cambridge, MA |
http://www.hds.harvard.edu/academics/degree-programs/mts-program/mts-areas-of-focus |
Non-degree Buddhist chaplaincy programs
These programs can be part of the training required to prepare be a professional Buddhist chaplain.
|
Organization |
Location |
URL |
Notes |
|
Institute of Buddhist Studies |
Berkeley, CA |
The certificate program can be added to a Masters degree |
|
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Sati Center |
Redwood City, CA |
Partnered with IBS to offer graduate school credits |
|
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New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care |
New York City |
http://zencare.org/contemplative-care-training-program/professional-cpe-buddhist-chaplaincy-training |
Accredited Professional Chaplaincy Training
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Upaya Institute |
Santa Fe, NM |
The two-year program is recognized by the Assoc. of Professional Chaplains as the equivalent of 48 graduate school units. |
